Analysts are split on TWIC

Government and industry experts are disputing claims that the Transportation Worker Identification Credential, as it stands now, is subpar.

Sources close to the program have said there are distinct concerns over the security of the TWIC cards, their response speed, communication among various vendors’ TWIC systems and the relation of TWIC credentials to other IDs.

This disagreement comes as TSA continues to collect industry viewpoints about how to move forward with its port security credential.

“I am chairing a working group to develop technical specifications for the next generation of TWIC readers,” said Lisa B. Himber, vice president for the Maritime Exchange for the Delaware River and Bay. The working group falls under the National Maritime Security Advisory Committee.

“The recommendation that we are debating and hope to finalize calls for a three-second response time,” Himber said, referring to one area where opinions on the effectiveness of TSA equipment have differed sharply.

The continued uncertainty about TWIC’s technology choice comes on the heels of TSA awarding a $70 million contract to Lockheed Martin Corp. to deploy the cards by establishing enrollment centers. The centers will collect biographic information and fingerprints to conduct a security threat assessment and produce the biometric credential.

The long-delayed TWIC project is intended to furnish smart cards to workers at ports and other transportation hubs, closing off terrorists’ access.

As the TWIC story develops, additional sources have chimed in with perspectives on potential weaknesses in the credential production process.

For example, they have suggested that the Corbin, Ky., facility where DHS plans to provide the “personalization” function to link the cards to the persons using them might not have sufficient quality control. The sources pointed out that the facility lacks the International Standards Organization 9000 certification by which such facilities routinely assure quality control.

More news on related topics: Authentication / Identity Management, Homeland Security, IT Management